Storage module with built-in cap opener

Abstract

A storage module for storing a closed beverage container within a refrigerator including a storage bin, an opener affixed to the storage bin and configured to open the closed beverage container, and an attachment portion configured to removably attach the storage bin to a wall of the refrigerator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage module for storing a closed beverage container within a refrigerator comprising:
 a storage bin, wherein the storage bin comprises one or more walls and a bottom defining a storage space; 
 an opener configured to remove a closing member of the closed beverage container from the closed beverage container; and 
 a compartment portion positioned to capture the removed closing member when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener, wherein 
 the compartment portion is an enclosed environment within a selected wall of the one or more walls of the storage bin, spans a majority of a lateral distance of the selected wall, and is configured to contain the removed closing member within the enclosed environment, 
 the selected wall includes an opening therethrough configured to provide access to the enclosed environment, wherein the opening is sufficient to receive a portion of the closed beverage container having the closed member, 
 the opener is disposed within the enclosed environment of the selected wall and positioned to be in registry with the opening of the selected wall, wherein the opener comprises an angle bracket and an opener member, and wherein the opener member is incorporated into the angle bracket, and further wherein the angle bracket is affixed to the selected wall, 
 the selected wall is removably coupled to the storage bin such that the user can detach the selected wall from a main body portion of the storage bin to empty the contents of the compartment portion within the selected wall, and 
 the angle bracket comprises a first member and a second member which meet to form an acute angle, and further wherein the second member comprises the opener member. 
 
     
     
       2. The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the angle bracket is affixed to a top portion of the selected wall of the storage bin. 
     
     
       3. The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the second member of the angle bracket is positioned such that the removed closing member falls into the compartment portion when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener member. 
     
     
       4. The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the selected wall is transparent. 
     
     
       5. The storage module of  claim 1 , wherein the selected wall comprises one or more apertures positioned such that the contents of the compartment portion can exit through the one or more apertures. 
     
     
       6. The storage module of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more apertures are positioned on a rear portion of the selected wall such that one or more surfaces of the main body of the storage bin seal the one or more apertures when the selected wall is attached to the main body. 
     
     
       7. A storage module for storing a closed beverage container within a refrigerator comprising:
 a storage bin, wherein the storage bin comprises one or more walls and a bottom defining a storage space; 
 an opener affixed to the storage bin, wherein the opener is configured to remove a closing member of the closed beverage container from the closed beverage container; 
 an attachment portion configured to removably attach the storage bin to a side of the refrigerator; and 
 a compartment portion positioned to capture the removed closing member when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener, wherein 
 the compartment portion is an enclosed environment within a selected wall of the one or more walls of the storage bin, spans a majority of a lateral distance of the selected wall, and is configured to contain the removed closing member within the enclosed environment, 
 the selected wall includes an opening configured to provide access to the enclosed environment, wherein the opening is sufficient to receive a portion of the closed beverage container having the closed member, 
 the selected wall of the storage bin is removably coupled to the storage bin such that the user can remove the selected wall from a main body of the storage bin to empty the contents of the compartment portion contained therein, 
 the opener is disposed within the enclosed environment of the selected wall and positioned to be in registry with the opening of the selected wall, wherein the opener comprises an angle bracket and an opener member, and wherein the opener member is incorporated into the angle bracket, further wherein the opener member is positioned such that the removed closing member falls into the compartment portion when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener member, and 
 the angle bracket comprises a first member and a second member which meet to form an acute angle, and further wherein the second member comprises the opener member. 
 
     
     
       8. A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerator cabinet comprising a door; and 
 a storage module for storing a closed beverage container, wherein the storage module is attached to an interior side of the refrigerator door, and comprising:
 a storage bin, wherein the storage bin comprises one or more walls and a bottom defining a storage space, 
 an opener configured to remove a closing member of the closed beverage container from the closed beverage container, and 
 a compartment portion positioned to capture the removed closing member when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener, wherein 
 the compartment portion is an enclosed environment within a selected wall of the one or more walls of the storage bin, spans a majority of a lateral distance of the selected wall, and is configured to contain the removed closing member within the enclosed environment, 
 the selected wall includes an opening configured to provide access to the enclosed environment, wherein the opening is sufficient to receive a portion of the closed beverage container having the closed member, 
 the opener is disposed within the enclosed environment of the selected wall and positioned to be in registry with the opening of the selected wall, wherein the opener comprises an angle bracket and an opener member, and wherein the opener member is incorporated into the angle bracket, and wherein the opener member is positioned such that the removed closing member falls into the compartment portion when the closed beverage container is opened with the opener member, 
 the selected wall of the storage bin is removably coupled to the storage bin such that the user can remove the selected wall from a main body of the storage bin to empty the contents of the compartment portion contained therein, and 
 wherein the angle bracket comprises a first member and a second member which meet to form an acute angle, and further wherein the second member comprises the opener member. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the selected wall incorporating the opener comprises one or more apertures positioned such that the contents of the compartment portion can exit through the one or more apertures.